Spring assembling machine



Aug. & 1933 Q, D KARR L922,@2

SPRING AS SEMBLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 c. D. KARR SPRING ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 QM kw WW HHWWWW H Aug. 8, 1933. c. D. KARR Q M SPRING ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 C. D. KARR SPRING ASSEMBLING MACHINE Aug. 8, 1933.

Filed 0011.5, 1931 5- Sheets-Sheet 4 an R N H fim MAN MW- WW 11. I HIH H l l lil Q kw Wm m A/MN aw mm kw Aug. 8, 1933. c. D. KARR SPRING ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 8, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Charles D. Karr, Holland, Mich., assignor to Charles Karr Company, a Corporation 0!.

Michigan Application October 5, 1931. Serial No. 566,846

17 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for fabricating spring assemblies for use in cushions, upholstery, mattresses and the like.

One of the objects of the invention is the pro- 5 vision of a new and improved device having novel means for positioning spiral spring preparatory to attaching the connecting coils.

Another object of the invention is the provision of new and improved means for advancing the helicals or connecting coils during the assembling operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved spring assembly fabricating machine having novel means for positioning and holding spiral springs and for attaching connecting helicals to both ends of the spirals simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is the'provision of a new and improved machine for fabricating spring assemblies that is simple in construction, eflicient in operation, composed of a minimum number ofmoving parts, inexpensive to manufacture, and simple and easy to control.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of thedevice;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof with parts in section and parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, with parts in section, parts broken away, and parts F omitted for the sake of clearness, showing the parts in spring assembling position;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 6 and? are sections on-lines 6-6 and 77 respectively of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a section on line 88 of Fig. 2, the lower portion being a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 4, showing the parts in spring holding position; and

Fig. 9 is a similar view, but showing the parts in released position.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference character 10 designates generally a, supporting frame on which the device is mounted. This frame comprises rear and front supporting legs 11 and 12 at each end of the device and the cross members 13, 14 and 15.

A plurality of table supporting arms 16 are pivoted as'at 17 to the upper portion of the supporting frame at the rear thereof, as clearly 5 shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The front ends of these arms are provided with downwardly eX- tending offsets 18 forming recesses 19 for accommodating the-spring holding mechanism as will presently appear. A platform or table 21 is mounted on these arms, the platform being provided with openings 22 in alignment with the recesses 19. The forward portion of the table 21 is slightly in advance of the frame members for supporting the spirals ;during the assembling operation.

In the form of construction selected to illustrate one embodiment of the invention, the device is adapted to assemble spiral springs having distorted portions at opposite sides of each of its terminal coils. In the form shown, the

spirals 23 each has the intermediate portion of its terminal coil 24 provided with an outwardly offset straight portion 25 and at its opposite side the end of the coil is offset as at 26 and provided with an inwardly extending loop 27, see Fig. 4 of the drawings.

In fabricating the assembly, the offset portions 25 of the spirals of one row lap the offset portions 26 of the opposite springs of an adjacent row. These overlapping portions are adapted to be held in alignment while a helical 28 is threaded or woven about the overlapping portions as clearly shown at the top of Fig. 4.

Suitable means are provided for holding the distorted portions of the spirals in lapped position while they are being connected together by the helicals 28. In the form of construction shown, means are provided for simultaneously connecting the lapped portions of the spirals at their upper and lower ends. Since the means for holding the springs in lapped position at their upper and lower ends is substantially the "same, only one need bedescribed. This holding mechanism, see Figs. 1, 5, '7 and 8, comprises.a guide member 29 which may be formed'in any suitable manner. In the form shown, this member comprises a guide bar 31 rigidly connected as by means of the brackets 32 and 33 to the frame 10, see Fig. 2. The guide member above the springs for holding the upper portion of the springs in position to be fabricated is rigidly attached to the oscillating bar 40 by brackets 30, see Fig. 3.

A spring holding plate, 34, see Fig. 4, is rigidly secured to this bar at one side thereof. This plate is provided with suitable cutout portions 35 and 36, see Fig. 4, at regular intervals for receiving the terminal coil adjacent to the oilset portion. 25, and is provided at regular intervals with a recess 37 for receiving the loop 27 no of the oflset portion 26 for positioning this spring.

Rigidly attached to the opposite side of the bar 31 from the plate 34 are a plurality of plates 38, see Figs. 1, 5, '7 and 9, which are arranged in spaced relation and are adapted to occupy a position between the spirals during the operation of the device. These -plates extend beyond the edge of the bar 31 and cooperate with the outer edge of the plate 34 to form channels 41 for guiding the helical as will presently appear.

A keeper 39 is pivoted to the outer end of each plate 38 and is adapted to be moved to a position across the channel 41 formed by the plates 38 and the plate 34. The forward ends 42 of the keepers may be bent outwardly to provide guides for directing the end of the helical into the channel 41, see Fig. 4. The keepers 39 are provided with cam members 43 on their outer surface which are adapted to be engaged by springs 44 for holding them in closed position. The springs 44 are rigidly connected to a releasing bar 45 which in turn is hinged to the plates 38 by a plurality of hinges 46, one of which is shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9.

A plurality of positioning plates 4'7 are hinged as at 48 to the edge of the guide bar 31. These positioning plates are located between the keeper members 39 and are adapted to assist in positioning the springs in the channel 41. These plates are provided at their lower ends with struck-out portions forming positioning fingers 49 which are adapted to engage the distorted portions of the springs on their inner sides. That is, the fingers 49 on the positioning plates 47 above the springs will engage beneath the lapped portions while those at the lower end of the spring will engage above the lapped portions, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing.

In the manufacture of spring assemblies it is desirable that the springs be alternated, that is, the intermediate distorted portion of each alternate spring of each row will be arranged toward the front of the machine and the intermediate distorted portion of the other springs of a row will be turned toward the rear of the machine. This is done so as to insure more uniform operation in the use of the springs.

The assembling device is provided with means for permitting such an assembly. In order to accomplish this each alternate positioning plate is provided with a recess 51 for receiving the corresponding inwardly extending loop 2'7 of the spring. This arrangement is shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. It will be noted that in Fig. 4 the positioning plate 4'7 is provided with a recess 51 for receiving the loop 27 at the left of the figure, while for the next set of springs a recess 3'7 is provided in the plate 34 for receiving the loop 2'7. While this arrangement is alternated entirely across the spring assembly it is understood that it may be otherwise.

The positioning plates 4'7 are adapted to be operated by the releasing bar 45, in a manner that will now be described. As shown, the bar 45 is provided with a plurality of enlarged openings 52 which are adapted to register with corresponding openings 53 in the outwardly projecting ends 54 of the positioning plates 4'7. A bolt 55 extends through each of these aligned openings and is provided on its outer end with a spring 56 whereby when the bar 45 is rotated it will cause the positioning members 4'7 to move across the channels 41 to the position shown in Figs. '7 and 8, and to be resiliently held in that position by the spring 46. Since the springs 44 are rigidly connected'to the bar 45 when this bar is rotated to the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the springs 44 will force the keepers 39 across the channel to form a passage for receiving the helical 28 as clearly shown in Figs. '7 and 8.

Suitable means are provided for rotating the releasing bars 45 for releasing the guide members from the spring assembly. As shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the upper releasing bar 45 is provided with brackets 5'7 which are rigidly attached at one end to the bar 45 and at the opposite end are bent rearwardly and provided with openings through which a rod 58 extends. The rod 58 extends through a vertical opening in the oscillating bar 40 and through an opening in the table supporting arms 16. The bracket 57 is secured between nuts 59 and 61 whereby the parts may be so adjusted that when the oscillating bar 40 is moved upwardly it will cause the bar 45 to rotate to release the keepers 39 and will raise the upper guide mechanism above the spring assembly as shown more clearly in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The lower releasing bar 45 is operated by an arm 62 through one end of which a rod 63 extends. The rod 63 is connected to a treadle arm 64.

The opposite end of the arm 62 is connected to a spring 65 which is adapted to return the parts to normal position after the treadle 66 has been released. The oscillating bar 40 is also operated by the treadle 66 through a link 67, a lever 68 and a link 69. The rod 58 is of such length that when the treadle 66 is depressed it will toward the end of its movement elevate the forward ends of the arms 16, carrying with it the table on which the spring assembly rests.

It will thus be seen that by depressing the lever 66 the guide mechanism 29 both above and below the spring assembly will be released, the upper guide mechanism will be raised above the spring assembly, and the table on which the spring assembly rests will be elevated above the lower guide mechanism whereby the whole assembly may be pushed rearwardly preparatory to positioning the next row of springs.

Suitable means are provided for rotating and advancing the helicals 28 for connecting the springs together. In the form of construction shown, a plurality of rollers 71, '72 and '73 are employed. In the form shown, two sets of these rollers are employed for simultaneously connecting the upper and lower ends of two adjacent rows of springs together. Each set of these rollers comprises three rollers arrangedsubstantially apart so that the space between the rollers will be in alignment with the upper and lower channels 41.

Suitable means are provided for advancing the helicals when they are rotated by the rollers. In the form of construction selected to illustrate one embodiment of the invention, means are provided on one of the rollers for accomplishing this function. As shown, the roller '73 is provided with annular projections '70, see Figs. 2 and 4, which are suificiently spaced to engage between the coils of the helical, whereby when the helical is rotated these projections will cause the spring to be advanced. The guide members 29 are each also provided with means for positioning the helical and for assisting in advancing the same.

In the construction shown, the spring holding plate 34 and the edge of the guide bar 31 1,922,002 are provided with a plurality of projections 74 extending into the channel 41 for engaging between the coils of the helicals. As shown more particularly in Figs. 4 and 9 these projections are substantially U-shape, the legs of the U being arranged diagonally across the channel 41 so that they will engage between the coils of the spring at opposite sides thereof. By making these guides U-shape the same may be released from the spring by simply raising or lowering the guiding mechanism. It will be noted that the base 75 of these guide members extends beyond the edge of the bar 31, a suflicient distance to engage between the coils of the spring. In other words, each of these guide members may be said to engage the spring on three sides.

Suitable means are provided for releasing the helical rotating members. As shown, the roller 73 is mounted on a fixed axis 76 and the rollers 71 and 72 are mounted on a frame 77 pivoted as at 78. There are two sets of these rollers, one for the upper and one for the lower connecting member of the spring assembly. Since they are substantially the same, only one set need be described. These rollers are adapted to be operated by a motor 79 mounted on the frame of the device. An endless belt 81 operates a pulley 82 to which is attached a pulley 83 which engages an endless belt 84 extending about both sets of the pulleys. This belt also extends about a belt tightener 85 mounted on a bell crank 86 and held in belt tightening 87.

Suitable means are provided for moving the rollers 71 and 72 into operative and inoperative position. As shown, the frames 77 are connected to bolts 88 and 89 which extends through one arm of a bell crank 91, the opposite end 92 of the bell crank constituting a lever or means for moving the rollers 71, 72 into and out of operative position. Springs 93 and 94 are preferably inserted between nuts on the bolts 88 and 89 and the arm of the bell crank 91.

In the operation of the device, starting from the position shown in Fig. 3, the spring assembly is pushed rearwardly until the forward edge of the spring is between the upper and lower guide members 29. A row of springs are then placed in position, the treadle 66 is partially released to permit the springs to be inserted in the guides, after which the treadle is completely released, a helical 28 is placed between each set of rollers, and the lever 92 depressed, which will cause the rollers to rotate, thereby rotating the helical 28, causing the same to be advanced along the guide member in the channel 41 for engaging about the lapped portions of the springs, at the upper and lower ends thereof.

Preferably though not necessarily tubular guide members 95 and 96, see Fig. 2, are provided for guiding the helicals 28 into the space formed by the rollers. While in the form of construction shown, only two helicals are threaded onto the spirals at one operation, this is by way of example only, it being understood that it might be otherwise.

In the present disclosure the spirals are provided with a particular type of offset and the holding members are especially constructed for engaging the springs and holding them in over lapped relation. It is understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to connecting the helicals to overlapping distorted portions, but it contemplates connecting adjacent rows of springs together by helicals by rotating memposition by a spring bers that simultaneously rotate and advance the spirals.

It is thought from the foregoing taken in connection with the accompanying drawings that the construction and operation of my device will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and that changes in size, shape, proportion and details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device for fabricating spring assemblies, mechanism for holding spiral springs, means for connecting said springs together at \their upper ends, means for connecting said springs together at their lower ends, and manually controlled mechanism for operating both of said means simultaneously.

2. In a device for manufacturing spring assemblies, a support, holding members movably mounted on said support for positioning and holding a plurality of spiral springs in alignment, means for moving said members independently of said springs without removing said springs from said device and means including a plurality of rollers for connecting said springs together by a plurality of helicals.

3. In a device for assembling springs for forming a spring assembly comprising a plurality of movable holding members for holding and positioning a plurality of spirals in alignment, means for connecting helicals simultaneously to the upper and lower terminal coils of said spirals, and manually operated means for releasing said members and separate manually operated means for rendering said means inoperative.

4. In a spring assembling device, mechanism for rotating and advancing a helical, said means comprising a roller member having circumfer' ential elevations and depressions on its periphery, a pair of roller members opposite said firstnamed roller, and means for'moving said members toward each other for engaging a helical between the same and for moving them apart for releasing said helical.

5. Mechanism for assembling a helical connecting member in a spring assembly comprising a support, movable means on said support for holding two rows of helical springs adjacent to each other a plurality of rollers at one end of said rows for engaging said member for rotating the same, and means for engaging between the turns of said helical connecting member for advancing the same when rotated.

6. In a machine for fabricating spring assemblies, movable means for holding the terminal turns of a row of spiral springs, means for guiding a helical about said terminal turns a plurality of rotating elements spaced apart for receiving a helical between them, said elements being adapted to engage and rotate said helical for causing the latter to engage about terminal turns of said springs, and means on one of said rotating elements for engaging between turns of said helical for advancing the same when it is rotated by said elements.

7. In a machine'for connecting spiral springs together with helicals, which comprises mechanism for holding two rows of spiral springs in juxtaposition, means for threading a helical onto the adjacent portions of the spirals of said rows, means for releasing said mechanism, and. for elevating said springs above said last named means.

8. In a machine for connecting spiral springs with connecting helicals to form a spring assembly, which comprises a supporting frame, a movable table on said frame for supporting spiral springs in parallel rows, means for holding the adjacent portions of the terminal coils of the spirals at each end thereof in contiguous relation, means for threading spirals about said contiguous portions, mechanism for releasing said springs, and means for elevating said table.

9. In a spring assembling machine, a frame for supporting rows of spiral springs, an upper spring-holding member, a lower spring-holding member, each of said members comprising spring-positioning and holding elements, guide means on said members, and means for rotating and advancing helicals to cause the same to encircle adjacent portions of said spiral springs.

10. In a spring assembling machine, a frame, a table movably supported on said frame and adapted to support rows of spiral springs, a spring holding member associated with said table, said member comprising spring positioning and holding elements, guides on said member, means for causing a helical to engage said guides for guiding said helical about the adjacent portions of the terminal coils of spirals of adjacent rows, means for releasing said springs, and means for elevating said table for releasing said spirals from said spring-holding means.

11. In a spring assembling machine, a frame, a table movably supported on said frame for supporting spiral springs in rows, upper and lower spring-holding members, each member comprising a holding element having a channel for receiving a helical, keepers for holding said helicals in said channels, means for operating said keepers, means for rotating and advancing said helicals along said channels for connecting the adjacent portions of the upper and lower ends of spirals of adjacent rows, and means for releasing said last-named means without releasing said keepers.

12. In a spring assembling device, mechanism for rotating and advancing helical connecting coils comprising a grooved roller having a fixed journal, a movable supporting frame, a pair of rollers mounted on said frame and movable to and from said first-named roller, the space between said rollers adapted to form a passage for a helical, and means for rotating said roller for rotating and advancing a helical located in said passage.

13. In a spring assembling machine, helical holding mechanism comprising a guide bar, a holding plate rigidly secured to one side of said bar and extending beyond one edge thereof and provided with cutout portions for receiving portions of spiral springs, keeper plates rigidly connected to the opposite side of said bar in spaced relation, positioning plates hinged to said bar between said keeper plates and having projections thereon for engaging the terminal turns of said spirals, certain of said positioning plates having cut-away portions for receiving portions of said spiral springs, keeper members hinged to said keeper plates, cams on said keeper members, a releasing bar, means for pivotally connecting the same to said guide bar, a springpressed connection between said releasing bar and said keeper plates, spring elements on said releasing bar for engaging said cams for holding said keeper members across the channel formed by said guide bar and said holding and keeper plates, and means for oscillating said releasing bar.

14. In a spring assembling machine, spiral spring holding mechanism comprising a member having a channel opening vertically, the side members of said channel having cut-away portions for receiving portions of the terminal turns of adjacent rows of spiral springs, keepers extending across said channel at intervals for retaining a helical therein, movable positioning plates and means for operating said plates and keepers for holding or releasing the terminal turns of adjacent rows of spiral springs.

15. In an assembling machine for connecting adjacent rows of spiral springs with connecting helicals for forming a spring assembly, a supporting frame, upper and lower spring holding members mounted on said frame in spaced relation in a substantially vertical plane, said members having channels facing each other, the sides of said channel having cut-away portions for receiving the adjacent portions of the terminal coils of adjacent rows of said spiral springs at each end thereof, means for positioning and holding said spiral springs, means for rotating said helicals for engaging the portions of said springs extending through said cut-away portions into said channels, and for advancing said helicals, and means for releasing said holding means.

16. In a spring assembling machine for connecting rows of spiral springs together by helicals, comprising a support, a table movable vertically relative to said support, said table being adapted to support rows of spiral springs, upper and lower spiral spring holding members, means for raising and lowering said upper member, said lower member being secured to said support in such position that said table may be elevated above the same, means on said members for pcsitioning and holding the adjacent portions of the terminal turns of each spiral spring, means for weaving helicals about the adjacent portions of said terminal turns of adjacent rows, and means for elevating said table and for releasing said spirals whereby the same may be pushed rearwardly on said table.

17. In a device for assembling spiral springs and helical connecting members for forming spring assemblies for use in beds and the like, the combination of a supporting structure for supporting two rows of spiral springs adjacent to each other, movable means carried by said structure for engaging the terminal turns of said springs at one end thereof and means for rotating and advancing a helical for connecting said terminal coils together.

CHARLES D. KARR. 

